Money and Power Are Both Necessary

The relay station had a new secret passage leading outside the pass. Zhuang Yutang attached great importance to this and immediately sent a carrier pigeon message to the Commandery Lord's Manor.

The Commandery Lord's Manor also took this seriously, and within two days, the newly appointed station master arrived.

Outside the relay station, Li Sanlang lay with Li Wuya and Li Qilang on a slope about ten meters away, watching from a distance as Zhuang Yutang and his group bid farewell to the departing station master and welcomed the new one.

Seeing the boxes of medicinal herbs being loaded onto horses under Zhuang Yutang's command, Li Wuya's face displayed a pained expression.

Those were supposed to be her spoils of victory.

Unfortunately, she lacked the power to retain them at the moment, and she could only watch helplessly as others took them away.

Li Qilang noticed that something was off with Li Wuya's expression and quickly asked, "Wuya, what's wrong?"

Li Wuya clutched her chest, "My heart aches."

Li Sanlang immediately turned his attention, concerned, "Wuya, are you feeling unwell?"

Li Wuya nodded with a bitter face, pointing at Zhuang Yutang and his group who were riding away, she complained, "They took my medicinal herbs, those were supposed to be mine!"

Um...

Li Sanlang was unsure what to say. He pondered for a moment and said, "Wuya, General Zhuang has already given us a box of medicinal herbs."

He was already quite surprised by that.

General Zhuang was a Third-ranked officer at Dieling Pass, a senior official. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't even get to see such an important figure. Considering their previous interactions at the relay station, they were used to receiving nothing from him, and they couldn't complain.

Receiving an extra box of herbs was already quite satisfactory.

Li Wuya rolled her eyes and looked at her brother, who seemed content with what they received. She felt exasperated.

Didn't she singlehandedly defeat the Northern Yan raiders?

Without her, setting aside the issue of intercepting the military deployment plans, even just dealing with Zhuang Yutang's group would have been a challenge.

She had accomplished a significant feat!

Li Qilang, who was influenced by Li Wuya, also felt like their belongings were being stolen. With a pouty face, he exclaimed, "Those medicinal herbs were our spoils of victory. They took them away like bandits, it's so annoying!"

Li Sanlang was taken aback and looked at his siblings' long faces. He sighed, "General Zhuang has been quite generous. If someone else were in charge, like the Deputy General, we might not have received anything at all."

At this, Li Wuya sighed, "It's because we're weak, with no power or influence. Even though those things were rightfully ours, others can just take them without hesitation, leaving us with just a small portion. And we're supposed to be grateful for that."

"Qilang, remember this: If we want to live a good life, we need power and influence. Oh, and money too. Otherwise, we'll end up like this, watching others take away our belongings."

Li Qilang vigorously shook his head, like a tambourine, "No, we can't let others steal our things."

Li Wuya patted Li Qilang's shoulder, speaking with earnestness, "Then we have to work hard and become stronger, more capable."

"If we're not capable, even if we get good things, we won't be able to hold onto them."

Li Qilang nodded, "I understand that. Like this time, when we brought back the herbs, if we weren't strong enough, Grandma and Uncle would've taken them away. We need to be stronger so that no one can take things from us."

Li Wuya looked at her self-satisfied little brother and felt a strong desire to facepalm. She took a deep breath before speaking again, "Qilang, always remember that we need to have ambition as well. Being a minor officer like a 'xiao chi' (small flag) is insignificant. We need to broaden our horizons. Just think, in the future, Father might become a 'bahu' (hundred-household), 'qianhu' (thousand-household), or even a 'Zhihu shi' (commander)."

Li Qilang's eyes widened as he contemplated this. Can he really think like that?

Becoming a hundred-household or a thousand-household was a significant rank. He heard it was difficult to achieve. And as for a commander, according to Grandpa, the Emperor himself needed to appoint someone for that position.

Li Wuya continued, "Consider this situation: even if Father becomes a 'bahu' or 'qianhu', General Zhuang probably wouldn't just give us a single box of herbs."

Li Sanlang intervened, "I'm already surprised General Zhuang gave us this much. It's because we're weak and lack any leverage that even if these things are rightfully ours, others can openly take them and only give us a small share, for which we're supposed to be grateful."

"Qilang, you have to understand that if we want to lead a good life, we need power and influence. Oh, and money. Otherwise, we'll continue being like we are now, watching others take away what's rightfully ours."

Li Qilang was quick to shake his head vigorously, like a bobblehead, "No, I don't want others to take our things."

Li Wuya patted Li Qilang's shoulder and spoke with deep sincerity, "Then we need to work hard, become stronger, and gain influence."

"If we're not capable, even if we get good things, we won't be able to keep them."

Li Qilang nodded, "I understand. Like this time, when we brought back the herbs, if we weren't strong enough, Grandma and Uncle might have taken them. We need to be strong enough that no one can take our things."

Li Wuya looked at her little brother, who now seemed satisfied with her explanation, and felt a sense of accomplishment.

This younger brother of hers had always stuck to her like a little tail. As an older sister, she felt responsible and obligated to educate him into becoming capable.

Li Qilang was greatly inspired by her words. He lifted his chin, puffed out his chest, and his face turned red with excitement. However, his expression soon froze, and he weakly sought confirmation, "Sister, can Father really become a hundred-household, a thousand-household, or even a commander?"

Li Wuya nodded with certainty and affirmed, "As long as he dares to dream and take action, there's nothing he can't achieve."

With the admiration he had for his father and the conviction he had for his sister, Li Qilang was easily persuaded. He grinned widely and exclaimed, "So, Father will definitely become a hundred-household, a thousand-household, and even a commander in the future."

On the side, Li Sanlang looked on throughout this exchange, dumbfounded, as his younger siblings daydreamed in broad daylight.

Their father had served in the military for over twenty years and had only become a 'xiao chi' four years ago. It wasn't easy to climb the ranks in the military. At ten years old, he had heard enough in the village to know that families like theirs, without connections or money, found it hard to progress.

To advance in rank, their father would have to risk his life on the battlefield, a gamble that involved hanging his head from his belt.

He would rather have their father remain a 'xiao chi' and avoid the dangers of the battlefield.

At this moment, Zhuang Yutang and his group had already ridden far away, and the relay station had returned to its usual state.

Seeing the station master enter the station, Li Sanlang immediately led Li Wuya and Li Qilang to the station's backyard.

"Sanlang, Qilang, when we enter the kitchen later, if we encounter anyone, you two engage them while I go into the secret passage and retrieve what we hid."

Although the station master was new, most of the staff at the station remained the same.

The people at the station knew that it was Li Sanlang who had defeated the Northern Yan raiders, thus sparing their lives. As a result, when they saw the three siblings from the Li family come to the station, most of them were friendly.

Li Sanlang and Li Qilang engaged in conversations, diverting people's attention while Li Wuya slipped into the kitchen and entered the secret passage.

With the siblings' coordinated efforts, they didn't arouse any suspicions and successfully retrieved the concealed package from the secret passage.

"Wuya, quickly check if anything is missing."

Once they were out of the station, Li Qilang urged Li Wuya to inspect the package.

Li Wuya looked amusedly at Li Qilang, who stared expectantly at the package. "Nothing's missing. Do you think I'd hide things badly?" With that, she opened the package.

Inside were a Blood Ginseng, a Blood Orchid, a small bag of Insect Grass, and two sheathed daggers.

"It's a pity about that sword!"

Li Sanlang mentioned Ye Mo's sabre, his face tinged with regret.

Ye Mo was an expert at Rank Eight, and his sabre was undoubtedly extraordinary.

Unfortunately, it had been taken by Zhuang Yutang.

Li Sanlang carefully repackaged the items and then led his siblings back to their military village.

At the station's entrance, the newly appointed station master, Dong Wencheng, escorted the former station master, Old Zhou, out. He immediately spotted the Li siblings walking hand in hand.

"Is that Li Sanlang, the one who defeated the Northern Yan raiders?"

Old Zhou nodded, "Yes."

Dong Wencheng smiled and asked, "Is he skilled in martial arts?"

Old Zhou nodded, "Indeed, he has learned martial arts. His father, Li Changsen, is a 'xiao chi' in the Xining Garrison. He's skilled in martial arts, and Li Sanlang has been learning from him for the past couple of years."

Dong Wencheng smiled, "That's right. I've seen the three Northern Yan raiders that Li Sanlang killed. Even with the element of surprise and poisoning, without some martial skill, Li Sanlang wouldn't have been able to defeat them."

"I've met Li Changsen at the Xining Garrison. He's a resolute man with strong determination. It's said that he's quite fierce in battle and also has expertise in external martial arts."

Old Zhou chuckled, "It's partly due to luck. He encountered an old soldier willing to teach him external martial arts. Li Changsen became a soldier at thirteen years old. If he hadn't learned martial arts, he might not have survived until now."

Dong Wencheng looked surprised, "He joined the military so young?"

Old Zhou sighed, "Yes, it's all because of his father, Li Laohan. Li Laohan used to be a garrison guard, but he broke his right leg by accident falling from a platform. He had Li Changsen take his place."

While discussing this, Old Zhou's expression carried a hint of sympathy.

"Li Changsen has had a tough life too. After Li Laohan recovered in about a year, he could have returned to his previous post as a garrison guard. However, he couldn't bear the hardship and selfishly didn't call his son back to take his place."

Dong Wencheng was astounded, "Li Laohan is quite ruthless, isn't he? Letting his thirteen or fourteen-year-old son take his place as a garrison guard. Is that what a father should do?"

Old Zhou's lips curled with a touch of sarcasm, "Who can say for sure?"

He had a low opinion of Li Laohan.

According to the laws of Da Yan, soldiers could retire at fifty years old.

Li Laohan had only turned fifty the previous year, and based on the rules that only one male from each household could serve as a soldier, Li Changsen had essentially taken on nearly twenty years of military service for his father.

Twenty years.

Li Changsen's luck was truly terrible. He had been burdened with such a selfish father, not to mention a biased mother. Thinking about it, Old Zhou felt sympathy for Li Changsen.

Though Dong Wencheng also felt sympathy for Li Changsen, he refrained from meddling in personal affairs. Seeing a group of over a dozen people approaching from the direction of the military village, he immediately said, "Uncle Zhou, I'm new here and not familiar with this place. The order from above is to seal off the secret passage under the relay station. Please help me supervise the labourers."

Old Zhou quickly assured, "Don't worry, I won't let them slack off."

Dong Wencheng nodded, "Uncle Zhou, could you tell me about these people?"

Old Zhou swiftly gave him an overview of the workers, "By the way, those three at the back are Li Changsen's father and his two younger brothers."

Dong Wencheng glanced and clicked his tongue twice, "Li Changsen is so tall and robust. How come his father and brothers are so short? If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have imagined they were related."

Old Zhou chuckled, "Not only is there a significant difference in stature, but have you noticed that when the children from Li's second and third families stand with Li Sanlang and his siblings, they look much inferior? The villagers say the auspicious feng shui of the Li family was all used up by the eldest family."

Dong Wencheng laughed, then noticed that the labourers had arrived, so he stopped chatting with Old Zhou.

At the entrance of Tianling Garrison, Li Wuya led Li Qilang, bounding and leaping, while Li Sanlang walked behind with a smile.

When they were about to enter the garrison, a man in his thirties walked out from a side path.

He walked with a limp, his expression stern and taciturn. An air of someone not to be trifled with exuded from him, deterring timid souls from approaching.

"Uncle Ye!"

Seeing the man, Li Wuya's face lit up, and she ran over with a bright smile. Very familiarly, she asked, "Uncle Ye, when did you come back? How many days did the garrison give you for leave this time?"

Ye Mo glanced at the girl before him, whose cheek was thicker than city walls, and ignored her. He stepped aside and walked directly toward the garrison.

Li Wuya, who had been ignored countless times by him, stiffened for a moment but quickly reverted to her cheerful demeanour. Seeing the bundle of firewood in Ye Mo's hands, she immediately said, "Uncle Ye, you're often stationed at the garrison, so there's probably not much firewood at home. This bundle won't last long. My brother and I can go chop some for you."

Ye Mo's retreating figure didn't reply.

As they walked farther away, Li Qilang covered his face and looked at Li Wuya, "Sister, don't you think you're always trying too hard to please Uncle Ye? It's embarrassing."

Li Wuya flicked Li Qilang's forehead with her hand, "What do you mean by trying too hard? I'm just expressing my admiration. Can't I?"

Looking somewhat deflated, she lowered her head. For two whole years, she had been trying to gain Uncle Ye's favour, but he remained utterly unmoved.

"Why can't Uncle Ye like me? I'm a smart and clever kid. Clearly, I'd be a great martial arts talent. If he took me as his disciple, he'd benefit!"

Li Sanlang chuckled as he watched his confident sister, "Wuya if you want to learn martial arts, I can teach you. If you don't think I'm capable, you can wait for Father to come back and teach you."

Li Wuya's face carried a look of disdain, "I don't want to learn any external martial arts. What if I become all muscular and unattractive? No thanks. I'd rather not end up like a Barbie version of a warrior."

"What kind of warrior?"

Li Sanlang and Li Qilang both looked at Li Wuya, baffled.

Li Wuya crossed her arms and huffed, "I just don't want to learn external martial arts."

In her previous life, due to harsh living conditions, she had to be as tough as a man to survive. Her strong aura repelled men, and she remained unmarried until death due to it.

In this life, having a fresh start, she didn't want to follow the same path.

"Learning external martial arts might make you all bulky and unsightly, you know? People should grow up to be delicate and graceful, like charming ladies."

Li Sanlang: ...

Delicate and graceful?

Charming ladies?

Images of his sister efficiently dispatching the Northern Yan raiders at the relay station came to his mind, and his expression turned peculiar.

His little sister seemed to have a somewhat distorted self-perception!